Cardiovascular Assessment In The Elderly

Course overview

What happens when an elderly person presents with a new symptom? Is it really what it appears to be? As people age, normal changes occurs to every system in the body. The confusing part of the process is that elderly people might exhibit atypical symptoms to a common disease or injury. The way healthcare professionals assess an elderly person needs to include a unique approach- recognition of atypical symptoms, understanding the effects of presenting symptoms on chronic debilitating diseases, and taking the time or altering the assessment to accommodate an elderly person's limitations (i.e., physical limitations, cognitive deficiencies, hearing and/or visual impairment). Simple things need to be remembered- for example the elderly have more difficulty with body temperature regulation so having a person wear a thin gown and wait to be examined in a room that may be cooler will adversely affect them. This online continuing education course will focus on the cardiovascular (CV) system and educate the learner in changes that occur as a normal process of aging.